- 01 Introduction
- 02 Biology of DNA
- 03 Practical Issues Specific to DNA Evidence
- 04 Introduction to the Forensic DNA Laboratory
- 05 Assuring Quality in DNA Testing
- 06 Understanding a Forensic DNA Lab Report
- 07 Statistics and Population Genetics
- 08 Mitochondrial DNA & Y-STR Analysis
- 09 Forensic DNA Databases
- 10 Collection of DNA Evidence from Suspects and Arrestees
- 11 Pretrial DNA Evidence Issues
- 12 Victim Issues
- 13 Trial Presentation
- 14 Postconviction DNA Cases
- 15 Emerging Trends
Principles of Forensic DNA
for Officers of the Court
for Officers of the Court
Module 5 :: Assuring Quality
Topic 2 :: Best Practice Standards in the Forensic DNA Laboratory
The National Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) (cont'd)
Although the QAS define standards of operation, each is capable of interpretation as to how it can be met. For that reason, the FBI convened a working group to develop a consensus checklist to use when auditing against the standards.
The checklist, which was first published in October 2000 and updated in 2004, contains extensive discussion for most standards describing what is required to demonstrate compliance. For example, brief mention was made previously of the education and experience required by a technician, an analyst, and a technical leader. The consensus checklist provides specific and detailed elaboration of what is required to satisfy the QAS standards for education of personnel.
The checklist is the primary reference source for detail on what constitutes consensus best practice in DNA testing.
